macinante



f1. MACINANTE. PROPULSION 0F AERIAL 0R WATER VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21| T914. 1,326,760. y

Patented Dec. 30,1919.

6 SHEETSSHET I L f 4 I Y l. MACINANTE.

EROPULSION 0F AERIAL 0R WATER VEHICLES.Y

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2l. 1914.

1,326,760. f Patented De.w30,1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Zbla 456 e6 me/w72. /7Zac z'faane,

J. MAClNAN-E.

PRoPuLsloN of AERIAL 0R WATER VEHICLES.

APPLICATON FILED OCT. 2l', 1914.

'Patented Dec.'30, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3 L MACINANTL PRoPuLsIoN or AERIAL 0R wATeH VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT.2|| 194.

e M4. rim 01m we nCMc-v na Dn e m6 m n 6 i w .L Q 6 am 7, a w 3. 1, W@

J. MACINANIE; PROPULSION 0F AERIAL OR WATER VEHICLES.

, APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2l |914.

Patented Dee. 30,1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

IIIIIHIII.: Il

Myne/9L.

J. MACINANTE. PRoPuLsmN'oF AERIAL 0H WATER VEHICLES.

APPLICA'ION FILED OCT. 2l. l9l4.

Patented Dec. 30,19l9.

6 SHEETS-SHEET '6 W) Mya-aeg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH MACINANTE, OF PADDINGTON, NEAR SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES,AUSTRALIA.

PROPULSION OF AERIAL OR'WATER, VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Dec. 30, 1919.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH MACINANTE, a subject of the King ofItaly,residing at No. GO Hargrave street, Paddington, near Sydney, inthe State of New South Wales, Commonwealth of Australia, have inventedcertain new and useful .Improvements inA the Propulsion of Aerial orWater Vehicles, of ,which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the propulsion y of aerialvehiclesslich as aeroplanes or airships .or wfaterfveliicles, asaero-hydroplanes. `The principal. objectQpf my invention is to insureal,`normally horizontal propulsion irrespective ,off telic, posi?y tionwhich the hull-"or body of the{vehicle maytake. Y.' Y

The invention is appliedas a tractor at the front of the vehicle andconsists-,o.. a skeleton frame rigidly secured tothehull or body of thevehicleandsupportinginner and outer rings; The outerfring isapable ofswiveling or pivotingin vertical or trunnions in said frame while theinner ring carries a shaft which is normally parallel with thelongitudinal airisof the -vehicle, said shaft.,havingl ,thetrativeblades or other means. The inner ring is capableof swiveling' orpivoting. in bearings or trunnionsinthe outerringv which bearings .areat right angles to the bearings. in ,the trame. The blades are securedto the Shaft` inLsuch a position that the center of; .the boss'may beon, say, the geometrical center of the inner and outer' rings and alsoon the ,center of imaginary horizontalaaid perpendicular lines drawnbetweenA the center` of all the bearings. The movements of either ringmay be controlled by suitable devices which are so mounted and operatedas to be capable of locking the innerl relatively to the outer onewithout interfering` with the move? ment of the latter relatively to theEframe, or locking the frame or body around' the outer ring withoutinterfering with the movements of the inner ring relatively to the-outer one. Provision is also made lfor locking both rings'at the sametime so that the frame and rings may, if required, be come a rigidstructure, permitting motion being imparted to the vehicle as if by arigid shaft in thel ordinary manner.

. The tractor may be driven through a universal jointed telescopic shaftor through a rotary motor on the shaft.

By means .of my invention the gyrosoopic eiiect of the tractor alone, orthat of the tractor and its engine, causes the inner ring to bemaintained in its horizontal position within the outer one and normallypermits (that is to say when the locking devices are notv made use of)the frame and body to assume angular'. positions relatively to thepropelling means oritothe line y'of ropulsion. Should it be desired toutillze the traetrgfqr" .steering purposes Controlling inanssuch ropesmay' "be made use of to direct the shaft carrying the blades inaesiemiectomil may however proyidesiitable planesorlidders for steeringi Referring v to the drawingsuherewith :e f Figure l'is 1a. perspectiveview of one form of c(iynsltructi"ony embodying my invention,

Fi 2, ,Y and 4, are sections on the lines 2-2,..3-13, and 111-4, Fig.1`.

v Fig. Nl5lis af perspective' of the telescopic universal shaftcoupling.

Fig..,6 is an elevation partly in section of the locking device. *I c IFig. 7 is a perspective view showing a modification wherein thepropeller is provided with an"in'ternal .combustion engine as the sourceof motive power, while,

Fig. S is a similar view of another modification-wherein the motivepower is furnished by an electric motor. Z

F l9 is a perspective view illustrating ,the invention applied to anaeroplane.

Figs. 10V and 11 are diagrammatic views illustrating the positions`whvich. the aeroplane orv vehiclelmay take 'rela-tively to thepropelling means.

Fig.`1`2 is a perspective view of the invention applied to a' dirigibleor airship, while, 4

Fig. 13 is an elevation.

Fig. 14 illustrates in perspective the invention applied to the hull ofan aero-hydroplane.

Fig. 15 is an elevation. I

The same numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

16 is a skeleton'frame rigidly secured to the hull 17 of the vehicle.The bearings 18 atthe upper and lower sides of said l frame retain thevertical trunnions of an outer gimbal ring 19 having bearings 20 whichretains the trunnions of an inner gimbal ring 2l. 'Iransvei'sely in thering 21v an` engine of =the Gnometype and-29 is a flexible pipeconnection from a' carbureter or the liquid fuel supply to the shaft 22which in this case is hollow. In Fig.- 8, 30 `is an electric motorconnectedby the conductors 31 to a dynamo vcarried by the ve'f hicle. l

32 is aquadrantthe teeth of which are capable of being engaged by thepavvls 33 controlled by the cords '34 :and 35 and spring catch 36. v Oneofsaid quadrantsyis secured sayl on. the top or around the pivot of therame .16. A similar quadrant is secured on or around one of the pivotsof the inner ring to'one side of the inner ringand has itsJpaWl andcatch.; on orfingits respective baring siaaedlmllymheemana@ outer'ring.` Both'rings lmay bev lock'ed'in rositonnabliegaee driving 110.13@Ipi'd" as in. an .ordinary tractoren,prpellr-- L .are a .mainshaftasm27'yisleni`ployed itl is obvious that it isi'e'ssential to make 'theuni- Iversaly coupling 26 connecting the tail shaft 23 telescopic in'order to permit the tail shaft to take np a varying' position'relatively lthereto or rather the mainshaft and hilllvvith thetailyshaft. l

In the applications illustratedin'Figs. 7 and 8, it benecessary toprovidey an amount of exibility tothe pipe conveying the v-fuellsu'p'plyin the former and' thepco'nducting VWire to the electric motorJ inthelatter'. 7

Figs. 10 Iand A11,".Ifhave @illustrated diagrammatically and in dottedline'sthe positions Whichfthe hull and framei may assume relativelytof'theshaft lcarrying the 45 blades lWhich remains substantially j in.,th e saine horizontalv plane. I y ,y In addition to 4land Wheels on thehull I may mount other 'Wheels'laterally on the inner .ring in order tominimize any danger of; injurvto the vehicle and also to: facilitate'rising from thel surface.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desireltoprotect by Letters Patent, is :fv

1. In aerial or Water vehicles, the combination with the body of thevehicle, of a frame rigidly secured thereto, outer and inner gimbalspivoted together, one of which is pivotallysupportediin bearings in saidframe with its pivotal axis at right angles to the pivotal axis of theother gimbal, and propelling means carried Within either or both of saidgimbals or respective prolongations thereof adapted to automaticallymaintain the normal or any given position or direction relatively to theearth independently of pitching or rolling movements of the other gimbaland of any movement which the body or lifting surface may temporarilymake relativelyitoA the gimbals and to the earth.

A2. In aerial or Water vehicles,vthe combination with the body of thevehicle, oic a frame rigidly vsecured thereto, outer and inner gimbalspivoted together, one of which is pivotally supported' in bearings insaid frame. with its pivotal "axis at right an- ,files tothe pivotalaxis of the other gimbal and a. motor Within either or both of saidgimbalsorrproloiigations thereof which are ladapted .tocarry one or morepropellers and tolaiitomatically maintain the normal or 'any' giyn' j.os'iti'onl or: direction relatively to 'fthe earth i independently of llpitching or lrollingfint't'e'lner'its.Off ith'eother` gimbal and ofany'movement which the body'or lifting surface' may' temporarily' make4relatively to thegiribalsandfto th'e`earth.` L 1 3"f ,ae` ialj o`rVwatervehiclesja -gimbal d'a combination of'gimbals'br' prolongalti'o'iis" thereof' adapted' t: carry Within' the inner-None or therespective prolongations one' or more Propellers and `to automaticallymaintain'tlie nrmalrori any given position orl direction relatively "tothe?Y 'earth 'independently of' pitching or rolling movements ofttlieotherlmbal and of any movement fwlich'theibiyfo'rlifting surface maytemporarily llnake relatively to the Vg'imbals and to-theeartnff I 4."In'aerial"or'=water vehicles, a gimbal or acombiation ofgimbals orprolongations there'oadapted to Ecarryfwithin the inner one" "or" the'respective' prolongations one ormore propellers'- and motors and toautomaticallyimaintainthenormal or anyflgivenposition ordirectionfrelatively to the 'eartli independently of pitching or rollingmovements'fofrthe other gimbal and of 'any'lmovement which 'the .body orlifting 's'irfa'ce mayteinporaily'inake relatively to the gimbalsfan'fi"to the earth.v v y A 55, Infhe propelling v"apparatus of aerialorf-'Watervehilesg-lny combination, a body having' :'t-fframel rigidlysecured thereto, an outer ginbalfor -gin'ib'alsf or prolongationsthereof'pivted ini-said' frame an inner gimbalfca-pableof 3svv-i'velingon the outer giinbal, and 'a shaft Within said inner gimbal orrespectiveprolongations adapted to maintain the normal or arrangedposition relatively to'the earth independently of the movements vwhichthe other gimbal and the body may temporarily make relatively to'eachother or t'o the gimbal carrying said shaft." I

6. In aerial or water vehicles, a body having a frame rigidly A'securedthereto, an outer gimbal Ipi'voted in said frame, an inner gimbalcapable of swiveling on the outer gim- Cri bal, a shaft within either orboth of said gimbals or respective prolongations and propelling meanscarried or actuated thereby and adapted to maintain the normal orarranged position relatively to the earth independently of the movementswhich the 'other gimbal and the body may temporarily make relatively toeachother or to the gimbal carrying said shaft.

7. In the propelling apparatus of `aerial or water vehicles,incombination, abody having a. frame rigidly secured thereto, an outergimbal pivoted in said frame, an inner gimbal capable ofswiveling onthejouter gimbal, a shaft Within either or both of said gimbals orprolongations thereof` a motor on said shaft adapted to' maintain thenormal or arranged position relatively Ato 1the earth yii'ifde'pendentl'y 'of the `m'oveii'ients whichv the f ether .gmbhand there@ may'temporarily lma egrelati'iely-toja'ch ther or to the gimbalcarrying-said shaft and motor, i,

8. Incraerial or-'ivater vehiclesainfeomliie nation, a body having aframe rigidly se'- curedthereto, an outer gimbal pivotedlon said.trame,l innergimbal ,cap'lilefpf swiveling on the outer gimbal, shaftWithin either or botlriofrf A said gimbals bi' prolongations thereof,motor on ,said :shaft adapted to maintain the normal Ior. `prear rangedposition' relatively Yto 4tliefearth independently of thel movementsWhichthe other gimbal and the body may temporarily make relatively toeach other or tothe gimbal carrying said shaft and motor, and propellingmeans carried or actuated by said motor.

9. In aerial or Water vehicles, in combination, a body having a framerigidly secured thereto, an outer gimbal pivoted in said frame,propelling means carried or actuated by a motor and a shaft located inan inner gimbal capable of swiveling in said outer gimbal and of beingset in and autol inatically maintaining any desired direction# orposition relatively to the earth independently of any movement which thebody or lifting surface may temporarily make relatively to the gimbalsand to the earth.

10. In aerial or Water vehicles, in combination, a body having a framerigidly secured thereto, an outer gimbal pivoted in said frame, an innergimbal capable of siviveling on the outer gimbal, a motor Within saidgimbals which are adapted to carry one or more propellers capable ofacting gyroscopically to maintain a given position or directionrelatively to the earth independently of any movement which the body orlifting surface may temporarily make relatively to the gimbals and tothe earth. n

11. In aerial or water vehicles. in combination, a body having a framerigidly secured thereto, an outer gimbal pivoted in said iframe, aninner gimbal capable or swiveling on the outer gimbal, a motor Withinsaid gimbals adapted to carry one or more propellers capable of changingpo* sition or direction relatively to the earth and to the body orlifting surface in gyroscopic precession to a position or direction atright angles to any suitable force applied on the respective axes of thedevice.

12. In aerial or Waterveliic'les, the niotive plant 'vor respectivepropeller or propellers or both the motive plant and propellers carriedWithin the inner of a 'combination .of gimbals or the respectiveprolongations of same capable of acting gyro scopicallyin maintaining 'agiven position or direction relatively to the earth independently of anymovement which the body or lifting'jy face may temporarily make.rela

capablealso of prec'ess to any position or essere ,at....r..1gl,1.teagles. te. any amiable .force applied ,0n-"respective axes of' thedV'lCQ- y, 13. In'gaerial' or Watervehic'les, in combi` lnat1o'n,;abody'having a frame rigidly secured theretman qulte'i" ,ginibal pivoted "invsaid l fraaieon thefoi'i'ter' gimbal, a shaft havingv its 'bearings onsaid inner gimbal, a motor onisaid shat'j propelling. means carried bylsaid pivots of the gimbals and pawls mounted on i the respectivebearings for said pivots and provided with control cords.

15. In the propelling apparatus of aerial or Water vehicles, incombination, a body having a frame rigidly secured thereto, a pair ofpivotally connected gimbals, one of which is pivotally supported in saidframe with its pivotal axis at a right angle to the pivotal axis of the'other gimbal, and means associated with one of the pivots of thefirstnamed gimbal for locking it to the frame.

16. In the propelling apparatus of aerial or Water vehicles, incombination, a body having a frame rigidly secured thereto, a pair ofpivotally connected gimbals, one of which is pivotally supported in saidframe with its pivotal axis at a right angle to the pivotal. axis of theother gimbal, and means associated with one of the pivots of the gimbalcapable of swive'ling latter gimbal for locking it to the other gimbal.

17. In aerial or Water vehicles, in combination, a body having a framerigidly secured thereto, a pair of pivotally connected gimbals, one volwhich is pivoted in said frame, means associated with one of the pivotsof the last-named gimbal for locking it to said frame, and a propellercarried Wlthin said gimbals.

18. ln the propelling apparatus of aerial or Water vehicles, incombination, a4 body having a frame rigidly secured thereto, 'a pair ofpivotally connected gimbals, one of which is pivotally supportedin saidframe with its pivotal axis ata right angle to the pivotal axis of theother gimbal, meansY associated With one o the pivots vof theplattergimbal for locking it to the othery oirnbal,

and a propellercarried Within said M v bals, capable `of, ,automatically'maintaining the prearranged vposition of eitheror bothlof the gimbals.c. l "7' y19. In the propelling apparatus of 'aerial orv w'atervehicles, in com' inatioi1awbody having a frame rigidly securedthereto,""`a

pair of pivotall connected gimbals,'oneI of which is pivota lysupportedin"said'frame ,with its pwotal axis et a :right engl@ 391th@Pivotal aXSaOf the 'fthrjIk heli "eS- sociatedlwith one vof the' pivotsojfjthe latter gimbal for locking it' to the other bal, and a motorcarriedfwithin saidjgiin als.

20. Inthe ropelling apparatus of aerial or yWater vehicles, incombination, a body having a frame rigidly secured thereto, a pair ofpivotally connected gimbals, one of which is pivotally supported in saidframe with its pivotal axis at a right angle to the pivotal ,axis of theother gimbal, means associatedfwith one of the pivots of the lattergimbal for lockingjit to the other giinbal, and a motorvvithin saidgimbals capable of automatically,maintaining the prearranged position gfeither or yboth gimbals.

21. In the propelling apparatus of aerial o r'water vehicles, incombination, a body .having a framewrigidly secured thereto, a pair ofpivotally connected gimbals, one of which is pivotally supported in saidframe with' its 1pivotal axis ata right angle to the pivotaliaxis of,theother 'gimbal, means associated Withjone of the plvots of the latterfor locking it to the other lgimbal, a motorfwithin fsail'gi1nbals,` anda propeller' carried`bysaid "motor Within said gimbalspcapableofautomatically maintain- Yingfthe'jrearrange(ll position of either orbthfeiels-fyl In testimonyT whereof I have hereunto set my handinpresence of two 'subscribing Wit- JQSEPH MACINANTE.

